The culinary and home decorating expert is returning to assist home cooks across the United States in preparing Thanksgiving dinner—at least that’s her aspiration. Last year’s meal kit faced backlash due to its steep price and overly complicated recipes, challenges that have long affected the entire meal kit industry. This revised Thanksgiving kit still requires a considerable amount of chopping and preparation, but the recipes for brown sugar glazed turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, herbed stuffing, roasted vegetables, and apple crisp have been simplified to minimize “drama in the kitchen.”
However, the question remains: do pre-assembled Thanksgiving meal kits diminish the joy of holiday cooking? Answers will vary depending on whom you consult. A 2016 Technomic survey of 1,500 customers revealed that merely 16% of non-kit users would consider ordering their Thanksgiving meal from a service like Marley Spoon. Yet, among current meal kit subscribers, that interest surged to 51%, with an additional 43% believing that such a service would enhance the quality of their holiday feast.
The Martha & Marley Spoon meal kit’s emphasis on gourmet quality sets it apart from other meal kit options. Most meal kit solutions are marketed as quick and easy methods for learning new recipes and preparing healthy meals at home, highlighting the time savings of having pre-portioned ingredients delivered rather than shopping in stores. While Marley Spoon’s website claims that the meal kit allows consumers to “spend less time in the kitchen and more time with [their] family,” the primary focus seems to be on delivering a fail-safe turkey dinner that impresses guests.
Stewart’s kit stands out, especially since competitors like Blue Apron and HelloFresh do not currently offer Thanksgiving meal kits. Chef’d previously had a meal kit available, but it has since been discontinued. Most grocery stores provide pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals that customers can pick up and reheat; however, these options may not be viewed as premium as a meal kit, giving Stewart a competitive edge.
It will be intriguing to see if other meal kit providers introduce their own Thanksgiving offerings next year. Considering Technomic’s findings, the investment may not be worthwhile, especially as many meal kit companies are already grappling with profitability. Even if a brand like HelloFresh or Blue Apron decided to enter the Thanksgiving market, competing with the Martha Stewart brand, which is almost synonymous with gourmet quality, would be a daunting task.
In an unrelated note, if you’re considering incorporating nutritional supplements like calcium citrate into your holiday meals, it’s essential to check the calcium citrate expiration date to ensure the product’s effectiveness, especially if you plan to use it during the festive cooking. This is particularly relevant as consumers become more health-conscious and look to enhance their meals with nutritional benefits. As holiday cooking evolves, the focus on quality and health may lead to more innovative meal kit offerings in the future.